Propulsion device



July 5, 1966 L. G. KNAVER PROPULSION DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb.

INVENTOR Louis 6. Knaver flm M MW ATTORNEY 1... G. KNAVER 3,259,098

PROPULSION DEVICE July 5, 1966 Filed Feb. 5, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm. W

i i I I I I I I I I I N VENTOR.

[ Mam/er ATTORNEY July 5, 1966 1.. G. KNAVER PROPULSION DEVICE Fil e d Feb. 5. 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

BY Lou/'5 G. l I261 var AXW ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,259,098 PROPULSION DEVICE Louis G. Knaver, 6914 Alabama Ave, Hammond, Ind. Filed Feb. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 430,526 19 Claims. (Cl. 11523) The subject invention relates generally to marine apparatus and more particularly is directed to a propulsion device adapted for attachment to a small boat or other craft for propelling or driving the same.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a unique and quiet method of propulsion for seasoned fishermen as well as a practical setup for driving a boat for pleasure by inexperienced individuals.

More particularly, the device embodying the subject invention preferably comprises an elongate substantially rectangular frame having first and second side members which support guide means therebetween, a drive shaft at its upper extremity, a driven shaft at its lower extremity, propulsion means carried by the driven shaft, and elongate means, preferably in the form of a rigid link, extending through the guide means and operatively connected to the shafts whereby operation of the drive shaft will impart rotation to the driven shaft and propulsion means.

A significant objective of the invention is to provide a device of the character described in the preceding paragraph in which the side members are substantially identical and preferably secured at their opposite extremities by spacers and bridge members, an elongate tubular means is carried by the upper extremity of the first side member for rotatably supporting or journalling the drive shaft, and the second side member carries a short shaft axially aligned with the drive shaft, with a substantially U-shaped crank having arms respectively connected to the drive and short shafts.

Also, an object is to provide such a device in which the lower extremity of the second side member carries the driven shaft, a short shaft is carried by the first side member and axially aligned with the driven shaft, with a crank having ends respectively connected to these shafts, and the elongate means is operatively connected to the cranks. The side members, guide means, elongate means and shafts are all preferably substantially disposed in the same plane and designed and constructed with a view to provide a structure which is not only relatively light in weight to facilitate portability and installation but is strong, durable and safe for anyone to operate without fear of injury.

Another object of the invention is to provide the frame with a bracket assembly or structure which comprises receiving means, preferably in the form of a clamp for accommodating a portion of a boat, such as a gunwale, pivot means for pivotally connecting the frame to the receiving means, and complementary means respectively carried by the tubular means and receiving means whereby the frame may be adjustably secured in any one of a number of infinite pivotal angular positions within a precomprised of a pair of paddles or vanes which may be adjusted radially with respect to each other and the driven shaft in order to compensate for variations in *the draft of a boat. Otherwise expressed, the organization enables the propulsion means to be adjusted so that the paddles may be sufficiently immersed in water to provide adequate propulsion whether the draft of the boat is high or low. The area of the propulsion means may be increased or decreased so that the propelling forces may be varied depending on the amount of power applied to the drive shaft.

A particularly significant objective of the invention is to provide a modified device or a novel propulsion means which is designed and constructed to produce a stroking action, as distinguished from providing a rotatable paddle or propeller assembly as described above.

A further object is to provide a modified device which includes a frame and propulsion means constituting a unit, and means for mounting the unit for vertical adjustment with respect to a boat.

Other object of the invention reside in providing a device which offers a minimum of obstruction above a gunwale and one which may be collapsed or folded into a relatively fiat compact condition whereby to facilitate storage, packing, and transporting.

Important additional objects of the subject invention are to provide a propulsion device or structure which offers advantages with respect to manufacture and assembly, ease and speed of installation, operation or manipulation, efficiency, durability and safety.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a propulsion device embodying one or more inventions;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the propulsion device as applied to the gunwale of a boat for the purpose of illustrating various of its operative positions with respect thereto;

FIGURE 3 is a partial vertical section taken through the propulsion means or propeller means of the drive illustrating a mode of adjustment;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial vertical section, taken through an upper extremity of the device, showing details of side members of the frame and mode of supporting a drive shaft and short shaft axially aligned therewith;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken through a crank structure which is operatively connected to the drive and short shafts referred to in the preceding paragraph;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partial vertical section taken through .a lower extremity of the device, showing details with respect to the mode in which a driven shaft and short shaft are mounted or journalled on the frame, including details of the driven shaft whereby to facilitate attachment of the propulsion or propeller means thereto;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken through the device, shown in FIGURE 1, depicting a mode of mounting a guide means for an elongate means or link which operatively connects the drive and driven shafts;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevational view of a receiving means or bracket assembly which is utilized to detach or mount the device with respect to a portion of a boat such as a gunwale thereof, with portions of the receiving means being shown in section to depict details;

FIGURE 9 is .a transverse elevational view of the receiving means, with portions in section to illustrate details of the structure;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse section taken through an appropriate part of the receiving means illustrating the mode of pivotally mounting the device;

FIGURE 11 is a front elevational view of a modified propulsion device;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view, on a reduced 3 scale, of the device shown in FIGURE 11 depicting an operative position of the device;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view of a propulsion means or paddle structure constituting a part of the device illustrated in FIGURE 11, with portions in section to illustrate a mode of mounting the same;

FIGURE 14 is a transverse section taken through a means affording vertical and pivotal adjustment of the device with respect to the receiving means; and

FIGURE 15 is a partial horizontal section taken through a means whereby to facilitate mounting an upper extremity of the paddle structure to the frame.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention exemplified in FIGURES 1 through 10, there is shown a device comprising an elongate substantially rectangular narrow frame generally designated 1, a drive shaft 2 journalled or rotatably supported in the upper extremity of the frame, a driven shaft 3 journalled or rotatably supported in a lower extremity of the frame, propulsion means generally designated 4 carried by the driven shaft, an elongate means or link 5 which is operatively connected to the shafts in a manner whereby rotation of the drive shaft will impart rotation to the driven shaft and propulsion means carried thereby. A bracket means generally designated 6 is connected to the frame whereby to facilitate adjustment of the device in any one of a number of positions with respect to mounting, such as the side of a boat 7.

The frame 1 may be designed and constructed in various ways, but is preferably comprised of a pair of parallel longitudinally extending substantially corresponding hollow side members 8 and 9. The upper and lower ends of these members are preferably respectively held together in spaced relation by a pair of tubular spacers 10 secured in place by bolts 11 extending through the side members and the spacers. A pair of generally U-shaped members 12 are also respectively secured in bridging relation to the ends of the side members by the bolts which extend through legs of the U-shaped members. The members may serve as handles whereby to facilitate handling of the device.

The drive shaft 2 above referred to, as depicted in FIGURE 4, is preferably journalled in a tubular means generally designated 13 which is secured in a lateral position to the member 9. This tubular means includes a sleeve 14 and inner and outer bearings 15 and 16 which are secured in the sleeve and support the shaft 2. The sleeve 15 extends into the side member 9 and is secured thereto by welding 17 and the inner bearing 15 has a portion 18 extending into the member 9 and a head 19 engaging the inner end of the sleeve and inner side of the member 9. A stub shaft 20 is journalled in the side member 8 of the frame in axial alignment with the drive shaft. A fitting or a substantially U-shaped crank generally designated 21 has arms 22 and 23 which are respectively connected to the drive shaft 2 and stub shaft 20. The arms of the fitting are preferably detachably connected or clamped to the shafts by providing the arms with relatively movable portions 24 and screws 25 as shown in FIGURE 5. The stub shaft is preferably rotatably supported in a bearing 26 which has a portion 27 extending into the frame member 8 and a head 28 engaging an inner side of the member 8. Washers 29 may be interposed between the heads of the bearings 15 and 26 and the arms of the fitting. The drive shaft may be driven by any suitable means but is preferably provided with an offset portion 30 and a handle 31 whereby to facilitate manual operation thereof as shown in FIGURE 1.

The driven shaft 3, above referred to, is journalled in the side member 8 of the frame nad a stub shaft 32 is journalled in the side member 9 in axial alignment with the driven shaft. These shafts are respectively supported in coresponding bearings 33 which are similar to or correspond to the bearings 15 and 26. A fitting or substantially U-shaped crank 34, similar or corresponding to the crank 21, above referred to, has arms which are respectively connected to the driven shaft 3 and stub shaft 32.

A guide means, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 7, and preferably in the form of a tubular element 35 is pivotally or rockably mounted on the frame and slidably receives the elongate means 5 preferably in the form of a link or rod. This element is preferably jointly and adjustably supported by the side members 8 and 9 for disposition therebetween by pivot means, such a screws 36 having headed inner conical ends 37 which engage conical seats 38 provided in the element 35. The cranks 21 and 34 are preferably respectively operatively connected to the link 5 by bolts 39 which extend through the arms of the cranks and through the ends of the link. The link may be designed and constructed as desired but as shown is made from a length of pipe having flattened ends provided with aperture through which the bolts extend. Washers 40 may be interposed between the ends of the link and the arms of the cranks.

It is to be observed that the tubular means 13 and drive shaft 2 project laterally or perpendicular from the frame in one direction and that the driven shaft 3 extends laterally or perpendicular from the opposite side of the frame. It will also be apparent that the tubular means, drive and driven shafts, stub shafts, and the ide members of the frame are all disposed substantially in the same plane and'that the cranks, link, propulsion means, and the offset portion of the drive shaft may also be disposed in this plane depending on their relative rotative positions with respect to one another. These features promote storage, shipment and convenience in installation. Also, correspondence between certain of the components or parts, such as the frame members, cranks and certain bearings promotes manufacture and assembly.

The propulsion means 4 may be designed and constructed in various ways but, as best illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 3, it is preferably comprised of a pair of substantially corresponding planar sections, paddles, vanes, or propellers 41 and 42 Which are adjustably connected to the driven shaft 3. More specifically in this respect, the driven shaft is provided with a planar or flat portion 43 from which extends a center lug or pin 44 and a pair of threaded studs 45 spaced from the center pin and carrying wing nuts 46. Each of the paddles is preferably provided with a pair of parallel slots 47 for receiving the studs 45 and a row of longitudinally paced holes 48 between the slots for selectively receiving the lug 44. The organization is preferably such that either paddle may be selectively and adjustably connected to the driven shaft so that any one of the holes may be caused to accommodate the lug with the studs extending through the slots for securing the paddles in any desired fixed overlapping relationship. With this unique setup, each of the paddles is keyed to the shaft for radial adjustment in any desired position with respect thereto whereby the area of the paddles may be increased or decreased to promote or reduce the propulsive forces depending on the rotary speed of the driven shaft and propulsion mean-s. Such adjustment of the paddles is also desirable from the standpoint of compensating for draft or variations in the weight in a boat.

Any means suitable for the purpose may be utilized for attaching or connecting the device with respect to a boat or other mounting, but the bracket assembly 6 depicted in FIGURES l, 8, 9 and 10 has proven to be very practical and satisfactory. This bracket assembly includes what may be termed a C-clamp 49, pivot means generally designated 50 and adjustable means generally designated 51.

The clamp comprises an upper portion 52, a downturned portion or leg 53 provided with an inturned abutment 54, and a leg 55 opposite the leg 53 which is provided with a screw 56 for firmly detachably clamping a side or gunwale of the boat between the legs through the agency of a handle 56.

The pivot means generally designated preferably includes a member 57 having a base 58, a pair of corresponding upturned resiliently flexible portions or legs 59 provided with apertures 60. Fastening means, such as a rivet 61 extends through the portion 52 of the clamp and the base 58 of the member 57 for securing the member to the clamp. The pivot means also includes an annular collar 62 having a diameter for disposition between the legs and pintles 63 which extend through the apertures for connecting the collar to the legs for pivotal movement with respect thereto. Due to the fact that the legs are flexible, the collar may be readily detachably connected to the legs. The collar is of'a tubular character and adapted to slidably and pivotally receive the tubular bearing means 13 of the propulsion device.

The adjustable means generally designated 51 may be designed and constructed in various ways but, as illustrated, includes a member 64 having a base portion 65 and upturned legs 66 provided with aligned apertures 67 therein. Fastening means, such as rivets 68, may be utilized to secure the base portion 65 of the member 64 to the upper portion of the clamp 49. A bolt 69 extends through the apertures 67 in the legs and includes a wing nut 70, as best shown in FIGURE 9. The adjustable means also includes an elongate fitting 71 having an offset extremity provided with a slot 72 which is adapted to accommodate a shank of the bolt 69. This slot is preferably disposed at an oblique angle with reference to the longitudinal axis of the fitting. The fitting is also provided with a generally centrally disposed opening 73 through which the bearing means 13 of the propulsion device extends and its opposite extremity is preferably split to provide opposed relatively movable portions 74 which can be manipulated by a bolt 75, similar to the bolt 69, to move the opposed portions toward one another for adjustably and firmly clamping the adjustable means to the tubular means 13. A locking element or an abutment means 76, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, is preferably carried by the tubular means 13 for holding the bracket assembly 6 connected thereto.

The bracket assembly affords an inexpensive but practical and durable means for readily detachably connecting the propulsion device to a boat and due to the fact that the tubular means 13 is both slidably and rotatably connected to the pivot means 50 and the adjustable means 51 of the bracket assembly the propulsion device may be readily adjusted to dispose or locate the frame 1 and propulsion means 4 carried thereby in any desired lateral vertical position in relation to the side of a boat. This may be accomplished by merely loosening the wing nut of the bolt 75 so that the tubular means 13 may be moved horizontally through the collar 62 and the fitting 71 and then tightened. Also, the wing nut of the bolt 75 may be manipulated so that the tubular means 13 may be rotated with respect to the collar and fitting and then locked in a position to locate the frame 1 and propulsion means 4 in any desired inclined position for operation, as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 2. Moreover, the wing nut 70 of the lower bolt 69 of the adjustable means 51 may be loosened so that the frame 1 and propulsion means 4 carried thereby may be manually swung to an inclined or diverging position in relation to the side of a boat and then locked in place by tightening the nut. This is accomplished through the agency of the lower bolt 69 and the angularly dispose d slot 72 provided in the lower extremity of the fitting as described above. Obviously, the adjustments just described may be varied to suit different conditions such as, for example, the shape of the side Wall of a boat, the normal draft of the boat and the weight carried by the boat. Assuming that a pair of propulsion devices are respectively carried by the opposite sides of a boat, propulsion of the latter may be readily accomplished by merely cranking the devices to rotate the propulsion means in the direction one desires to travel.

Referring now to the modified embodiment or structure 6 of the invention exemplified in FIGURES 11 through 15, and particularly to FIGURE 11, there is disclosed a frame structure generally designated 100, elongated propulsion means generally designated 101 and bracket means generally designated 102.

The frame includes side members 103 and 104, cranks 105 and 106, a link 107 connecting the cranks, guide means 108 for the link, spacers 109, handles 110 and tubular means 111, all of which generally correspond to those above described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1. More particularly, the side member 104 carries the tubular means 111 in which a drive shaft 112 is journalled like the shaft 2. A driven shaft 113, constituting a crank, is journalled in the side member 103 and includes a portion 114 offset from its journalled portion and a lateral or transverse portion 115 which is offset from the portion 114 and rotatably connected to a lower extremity of the propulsion means 101. An upper end or extremity of the propulsion means 101 is pivotally connected to a fixed shaft 116 extending laterally or transversely from the frame 100 in parallel relation to the lateral portion 115 of the driven shaft. This fixed shaft 116 has an inner end which is adjustably clamped between a pair of opposed relatively movable members 117 of a clamp 118. These members include relatively flat portion-s through which bolts 119 extend and also generally semi-cylindrical portions 120 which slidably receive or adjustably embrace the frame member 103, as clearly illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 15. ,The bolts serve to simultaneously secure the shaft 116 in place as well as the members 117 to the frame member 103.

The propulsion means 101 may be designed and constructed in various ways but, as exemplified in FIGURES 11 and 13, it is elongate, substantially planar and comprised of an upper section or panel 121 and a lower and shorter section or panel 122. The upper section is rectangular in shape and the lower section has a rounded lower end.

The upper section 121 is provided with a fitting 123 which is transversely secured thereto by rivets 124 or equivalent means. This fitting preferably includes a generally cylindrical portion 125 which pivotally receives the fixed shaft 116. Washers 126 are carried -by the shaft for disposition at the ends of the fitting for an obvious purpose.

The lower section 122 is preferably secured to the upper section by a pair of corresponding cleats 127 which are clamped against opposite sides of the sections by pairs of rivets 128 ind 129. The cleats are preferably provided with semi-cylindrical portions 130 defining a tubular formation which pivotally receives the lateral portion 115 of the driven shaft 113. In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that rotation of the driven shaft 112 by any suitable means, such as the crank shown, will impart a striking action to the propulsion means 101, due to the mode of pivotally connecting its upper end to the fixed shaft 116 and its lower extremity to the offset portion 115 of the driven shaft 113, as distinguished from the rotary propulsion means 4 above described.

Any means suitable for the purpose, such as the bracket means 103, may be employed for detachably connecting the propulsion device illustrated in FIGURE 11 to the side of a boat. The bracket means 102 substantially corresponds to the bracket means generally designated 6, above referred to, and is adjustably mounted on an extension or shaft 131 which extends laterally from an offset portion or plate 132 preferably fixedly secured to the side member 104 of the frame by welding as indicated at 133. An element 134 is preferably carried by the shaft 13 for locking the bracket assembly thereto.

The plate 132 is preferably elongate and provided with a longitudinal slot 135 and a plurality of longitudinally spaced parallel slots or notches 136 which are angularly disposed with reference to the longitudinal slot. The shaft 133 is secured to a U-shaped head 137 such as by welding as indicated at 138. The head is adapted to slidably accommodate the plate and a bolt 139, having a wing nut 140, extends through holes provided therefor in side portions of the head. The shaft portion of the bolt may be selectively disposed in any one of the slots by reason of the longitudinal connecting slot. For example, as illustrated in FIGURE 11, the shaft portion of the bolt is shown seated in a second slot of the four illustrated. When the shaft portion is so secured in place by the wing nut, a base Wall 141 of the head will engage the outer longitudinal marginal edge of the plate as shown in FIGURE 14 in order to stabilize the connection between the shaft and the plate. The frame 100 and the propulsion means 101 as a unit may be adjusted vertically to any elevation through the agency of bolt 139 and notches 136 and any of the various positions afforded by the bracket means 102.

As stated above, it is understood that two of the propulsion devices are adapted for support with respect tothe sides of a boat for propelling the latter and that this may be readily accomplished merely by imparting rotation to the drive shafts through the handles carried thereby or otherwise. In both embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of the propulsive forces may be varied,

.depending on the drive forces applied to the drive shafts and the direction that they are rotated.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements and combina tions of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A device of the kind described comprising an elongate frame having a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side members, a drive shaft journalled in an upper extremity of said frame and a driven shaft journalled in a lower extremity of said frame, elongate means disposed between said side members and having ends respectively operatively connected to said shafts, propulsion means responsive to the operation of said driven shaft, the arrangement being such that operation of said drive shaft will effect rotation of said driven shaft and operation of said propulsion means.

2. The device defined in claim 1, including bracket means connected to said frame for supporting the device with respect to a mounting.

3. The device defined in claim 1, including tubular means carried by said frame for supporting and journalling said drive shaft, and a bracket assembly carried by said tubular means for attaching said device to a mounting, said bracket assembly being provided with means whereby said device may be adjustably secured in any one of a number of different positions with respect to a horizontal plane.

4. The device defined in claim 1, including tubular means carried by said frame for supporting and journalling said drive shaft, and a bracket assembly carried by said tubular means for attaching said device to the side of a boat, said bracket assembly being provided with means whereby said device may be adjustably secured in any one of a number of different positions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boat and/or in any one of a number of different positions parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat.

5. A device of the kind described comprising an elongate relatively narrow frame having elongate spaced side members and guide means carried by said side members for disposition therebetween, a drive shaft journalled in an upper extremity of said frame and a driven shaft journalled in a lower extremity of said frame, a crank carried by each of said shafts, elongate means extending through said guide means and having ends respectively connected to said cranks, propulsion means responsive to the operation of said driven shaft, the arrangement being such that operation of said drive shaft will effect rotation of said driven shaft and operation of said propulsion means.

6. A device of the kind described comprising an elongate relatively narrow substantially rectangular frame having elongate spaced side members and guide means carried by said side members for disposition therebetween, a drive shaft journalled in an upper extremity of said frame and a driven shaft journalled in a lower eX- tremity of said frame, a crank carried by each of said shafts, an elongate link extending through said guide means and having ends respectively connected to said cranks, propulsion means carried by said driven shaft for movement therewith, and means carried by said drive shaft for operating the same whereby to effect rotation of said driven shaft and said propulsion means.

7. A device of the kind described camprising a relatively narrow frame having elongate spaced side members and a guide carried by said side members for disposition therebetween, tubular means carried by and extending laterally from one of said side members for disposition adjacent an upper extremity of said frame, a drive shaft journalled in said tubular means, a stub shaft carried by the other of said side members and axially aligned with said drive shaft, a crank having arms respectively connected to said drive shaft and said stub shaft, a driven shaft journalled in said other side member and extending laterally therefrom. adjacent a lower extremity of the frame in a plane substantially parallel to said drive shaft, propulsion means operable by said driven shaft, a stub shaft journalled in said one frame member and axially aligned with said driven shaft, a crank having arms respectively connected to said last-mentioned stub shaft and said driven shaft, elongate means extending through said guide and having ends respectively connected to said cranks, and said drive shaft being provided with means whereby to facilitate its operation whereby to effect rotation of said driven shaft and operation of said propulsion means.

8. A device of the kind described comprising a relatively narrow frame having spaced elongate side members, tubular means carried by and extending laterally from one of said side members for disposition adjacent an upper extremity of said frame, a drive shaft journalled in said tubular means, a driven shaft journalled in a lower extremity of said frame and extending laterally from the other of said side members in a plane parallel to said drive shaft, propulsion means responsive to the operation of said driven shaft, articulated linkage means interposed between said side members and operatively connecting said drive and driven shafts, and means for facilitating operation of said drive shaft whereby to effect rotation of said driven shaft and operation of said propulsion means.

9. A device of the kind described comprising a relatively narrow frame having spaced elongate side members, a guide means carried by said side members for disposition and movement therebetween, tubular means carried by and extending laterally from one of said side members for disposition adjacent an upper extremity of said frame, a drive shaft journalled in said tubular means, a driven shaft journalled in a lower extremity of said frame and extending laterally from the other of said side members in a plane parallel to said drive shaft, propulsion means carried by said driven shaft, means operatively connecting said drive and driven shafts and extending through said movable guide means, and means whereby to facilitate operation of said drive shaft to effect rotation of said driven shaft and said propulsion means.

It). The device defined in claim 9, including bracket means carried by said tubular means, and means carried by said bracket means and said tubular means whereby said device may be adjustably secured in different positions with respect to said bracket means.

11. A device of the character described comprising an elongate frame structure, means for attaching said structure with respect to a mounting, a drive shaft journalled in an upper extremity of said structure and a crankshaft journalled in a lower extremity of said structure, an additional shaft carried by said structure and extending laterally therefrom in parallel relation to said crankshaft, elongate propulsion means having an upper end operatively connected to said additional shaft and a lower extremity operatively connected to said crankshaft, and means operatively connecting said drive shaft and said crankshaft for imparting a stroking action to said propulsion means when said drive shaft is rotated, said connecting means comprising an elongate rigid link and a pair of cranks respectively connecting opposite ends of said link and said drive shaft and said crank shaft.

12. The device defined in claim 11, including a fitting carried by said frame, said fitting being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced seats, an extension projecting laterally from said fitting and provided with a means whereby said extension may be operatively connected to any one of said seats, a bracket assembly carried by said extension provided with means for attaching the device to the side of a boat, and said bracket assembly and said extension being respectively provided with means whereby said device may be adjustably secured in any one of a number of positions in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boat and/ or to any one of a number of positions in a plane parallel to the axis of the boat.

13. In combination: a propulsion device and means for attaching said device to a mounting; said propulsion device comprising an elongate frame, a drive shaft and a driven shaft respectively journalled in opposite extremities of said frame, propulsion means responsive to the operation of said driven shaft, means operatively connecting said drive and driven shafts in a manner whereby rotation of said drive shaft will actuate said propulsion means, said frame being provided with an offset having a plurality of longitudinally spaced seats; said attaching means comprising a lateral extension provided with means for connecting the same to any one of said seats, a bracket provided with means for connecting the same to a mounting, means jointly carried by said extension and said bracket for pivotally and slidably connecting said bracket to said extension, said bracket and said extension being provided with means cooperable with one another and adjustable in a manner whereby said extension may be adjustably secured in a horizontal or in any one of a number of infinite positions inclined with respect to the horizontal.

14. A device of the kind described comprising an elongate frame having a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side members, a drive shaft journalled in an upper extremity of said frame and extending laterally therefrom in one direction, a driven shaft journalled in a lower extremity of said frame and extending in a direction opposite to that of said drive shaft, propulsion means carried by said driven shaft for rotation therewith, and means disposed between said side members and operatively connecting said drive and driven shafts in a manner whereby rotation of said drive shaft will effect rotation of said driven shaft and propulsion means carried thereby.

15. The structure defined in claim 14, including guide means carried by said frame at a location intermediate its extremities, and said means operatively connecting said drive and driven shafts includes cranks respectively carried by said drive and driven shafts and an elongate link which extends through said guide means and is operatively connected to said cranks.

16. A device of the character described comprising an elongate frame structure, a drive shaft 'journalled in an upper extremity of said structure and a crankshaft journalled in a lower extremity of said structure, an additional shaft carried by said structure and extending laterally therefrom in parallel relation to said crankshaft, elongate propulsion means having an upper end operatively connected to said additional shaft and a lower extremity operatively connected to said crankshaft, means operatively connecting said drive shaft and said crankshaft for imparting a stroking action to said propulsion means when said drive shaft is rotated, a fitting carried by said frame structure, said fitting being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced seats, an extension projecting laterally from said fitting and provided with means whereby said extension may be operatively connected to any one of said seats, a bracket assembly carried by said extension provided with means for attaching the device to the side of a boat, and said bracket assembly and said extension being respectively provided with means whereby said device may be adjustably secured in any one of a number of positions in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boat and/or to any one of a number of positions in a plane parallel to the axis of the boat.

17. A device of the kind described comprising an elongate frame having a pair of spaced longitudinally extending sides, a drive shaft journalled in an upper extremity of said frame and extending laterally therefrom in one direction, a driven shaft journalled in a lower extremity of said frame and extending in a direction opposite to that of said drive shaft, propulsion means carried by said driven shaft for rotation therewith, an elongate link disposed between said sides and cranks respectively operatively connecting said link with said drive and driven shafts in a manner whereby rotation of said drive shaft will effect rotation of said driven shaft and propulsion means carried thereby, and guide means carried by said frame at a location intermediate i-ts extremities slidably receiving said elongate link.

18. The device defined in claim 1, in which said propulsion means comprises a pair of substantially planar propeller sections, and means whereby said sections may be adjustably con-nected to said driven shaft so that different or corresponding areas of said sections may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of this shaft.

19. The device defined in claim 1, in which said driven shaft is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced fastening means and said propulsion means comprises vane means providedwith spaced elongate slots, and said fastening means extends through said slots whereby said vane means may be adjusted substantially transversely in the plane of said driven shaft in a manner whereby different portions of this vane means may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of this shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12,621 4/1855 Dehart 170155 201,740 3/1878 Brown 170-155 441,050 11/1890 Barcroft 67 515,682 2/1894 Hoeft 11566 527,815 10/ 1894 Schnell 248229 X 576,768 2/1897 Therien 11567 X 578,509 3/1897 Drayton 160.11 616,712 12/1898 Lenzner 170--160.11

2,257,698 9/1941 McCombie 11523 2,486,313 10/1949 Montalbano l15-23 2,631,807 3 1953 Witt 248229 2,664,064 12/1953 Prenosil 11554 X 3,096,961 7/ 1963 Powell 248229 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

ANDREW H. FARRELL, Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE OF THE KIND DESCRIBED COMPRISING AN ELONGATE FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SIDE MEMBERS, A DRIVE SHAFT JOURNALLED IN AN UPPER EXTREMITY OF SAID FRAME AND A DRIVE SHAFT JOURNALLED IN A LOWER EXTREMITY OF SAID FRAME, ELONGATE MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SIDE MEMBERS AND HAVING ENDS RESPECTIVELY OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SHAFTS, PROPULSION MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE OPERATION OF SAID DRIVEN SHAFT, THE ARRANGEMENT BEING SUCH THAT OPERATION OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT WILL EFFECT ROTATION OF SAID DRIVEN SHAFT AND OPERATION OF SAID PROPULSION MEANS. 